I think I need to delete some emails in Thunderbird, but it won't let me becasue before I can do anything, including compacting files, my computer freezes.
I've been getting messages from Thunderbird upon launching about how it's using too much space on my computer and I need to delete or compact files. When I try to do that, however, I get the spinning blue wheel. In addition, I'm not able to force quit through the normal actions and then my computer freezes and I can access any programs so I'm forced to restart my computer.
Is there a way to get into Thunderbird without opening it and then deleting some emails? Or is there another solution?
All Replies (4)
What is the exact error message?
It just tells me that I have to compact my files bc I'm using 100GB of space. When I try to do that, it freezes the computer and I have to shut everything down and restart.
Are you selecting to compact one folder at a time or trying to do all folders?
Suggest you enable the option to show you what the size is for each folder. 'View' > 'Layout' > select: 'Folder Pane columns' or 'Menu icon' > 'Options' > 'Layout' > select: 'Folder Pane columns'
then select to see 'Size' column - see image below
When you select to delete emails, from your point of view they go from eg: Inbox to Trash and get removed when you empty the trash, but in reality, they are still in Inbox, marked as deleted and hidden. Compacting removes previously 'marked as deleted' emails and frees up much needed space.
re: Inbox Suggest you create new folders and move all good emails from Inbox to those new folders for organising. Delete anything you do not want. When Inbox appears empty, you will notice the 'Size' will still show something. Right click on empty Inbox folder and select 'Compact'.
Did this get the Inbox compacted?
Thanks I'll try that